On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Dr. Augustina Naami, Head of the Department of Social Work at the University of Ghana, joined her students in a vibrant street campaign aimed at raising awareness about disability rights. The students, armed with placards bearing messages derived from their own research on disability issues, walked the streets of Legon, Accra, engaging directly with hawkers, drivers at bus stations, commuters, and members of the public.
Beyond raising awareness, the exercise sought to inspire the students to become active advocates for disability inclusion.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Naami called for swift integration of persons with disabilities into mainstream society. Despite decades of advocacy, she lamented, Ghana has not adequately included the over five million citizens with disabilities in its development trajectory. She emphasised the untapped potential of disability inclusion, which the country is currently neglecting.
“Persons with disabilities, living with their conditions every day, possess a better understanding of the issues that affect them,” Dr. Naami stated. “Therefore, we must include them in decision-making processes to leverage their experiences and knowledge for national growth.”
She urged all stakeholders, from estate developers to event organisers, to remember that persons with disabilities are integral members of society whose needs must be considered.
Dr. Naami condemned the insensitive practices of some commercial bus conductors (known locally as “trotro mates”), who either charge for wheelchairs or force passengers with disabilities to carry them on their laps. She highlighted how these practices add to the burdens of individuals with disabilities who often struggle to find employment and face financial hardship.
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SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
Well done Dr Naomi; a woman, a leader an inspirer is what I have gathered from this initiative about you. I wish you more wisdom.